Draft-evener.



J. L. BEENE.

DRAFT BVBNER.

APPLICATION nun) APR. 25, 1912.

1,031,164. Pat ented July 2, 1912.

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I citizen of the United States,

UNITED s'rarns PATENT OFFICE.

o. KNIGHT AND TWO-THIRDS T SAMUEL J PRICE, BOTH or CENTRAHOMA, OKLA- HOMA.

DRAFT-EVENER.

1,031,164. p c fi n of Letters Patent Patented July 2, 1912.

Application filed April 25, 1912. Serial No. 693,223.

'.[b all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN L. BEENE, a residing at Gentrahoma, in the county of Coal and State of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Draft-Eveners, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention'relates to new and useful improvements in draft e ualizers and more particularly to an equzi lizing double-tree and my object is to provide a device of this character which will be most efficient in carrying out the purpose for which the same is designed.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a means for shifting the double-tree laterally to increase and decrease the leverage for the respective animals.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a double-tree which is pivoted to the tongue of a vehicle and capable of lateral movement with respect thereto and a still further object resides in the provision of a straight rack on the double-tree and a segmental rack on the tongue which is meshed with said straight rack, whereby said double-tree will be moved laterally upon the movement of said segmental rack.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangment of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved draft equalizer. Fig. 2 is a vertical section as seen on line 2-2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar view as seen on line 3 3, Fig. 1.

In describing my invention, I shall refer to the drawing in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which 1 indicates the tongue of a wagon, carriage, cultivator or any other vehicle desired, to which is pivoted the draft bar or doubletree 2. This double-tree is held beneath a plate or strip 3' which extends longitudinally of the tongue 1 and is vsecured thereto by means of the bolts 4:, and a bolt 5 which forms the pivot for the double-tree 2 extends completely through the through a transversely extending slot 6 in the central portion of said double-tree and through the tongue 1 to be secured under the latter.

The provision of the slot 6, in the doubletree through which the pivot bolt 5 extends permits of a lateral movement of said double-tree with respect to the tongue 1 and I have provided means for the automatic shifting of said double-tree to one side or the other of the tongue. To this end the rearwardly facing edge of the double-tree is provided about centrally thereof with a straight rack 7 which is held to the doubletree by means of bolts 8, said bolts also ret aining a plate 9 on the central portion of the front edge of said double-tree, the purpose of which will be hereinafter and more particularly described. Pivoted on a bolt 10 which extends through the plate 3 and tongue 1 is a plate 11, the forward portion of which has a segmental rack 12 formed thereon, the teeth of which normally mesh with the teeth of the straight rack 7 and from this construction, it will be seen that as the plate 11 is swung'on its pivot, said double-tree will be shifted from one side to the other. Said double-tree 2 is provided adjacent the ends thereof with the oppositely inclined slots 13 through which are disposed the bolts 14 and carried on said bolts are the pairs of alining arms 15, which arms are disposed above and below the double-tree and extend forwardly and rearwardly thereof. These arms are secured together at the front and rear ends, the rearwardly extending portions of the same being inclined inwardly toward the tongue 1 and secured to the extreme rear ends of said arms are the connecting rods 16, which also hook into engagement with the opposite sides of the rear portion of said plate 11. forward secured ends of engaged therewith the with which are engaged the single-trees 18 and revolubly mounted on a bolt 19 which extends through the plate 3 and tongue 1, is a roller 20, which contacts with the plate 9 on the forward edge of said double-tree. This roller, it will be seen receives the entire pressure of the draft, permitting easy plate 3, F

The said arms have hooks or the like 17 movement of the double-tree in the shifting thereof, and said plate 9 forms a wear plate on the double-tree for said roller.

In practice, it often happens that while two animals are attached to the device, which are capable of an equal pull, they may be driven over a road wherein one animal is at a disadvantage in view of the roughness of said road so that the pull upon the double-tree will be unequal, and of course, it also happens that animals capable of an unequal pull are attached to the same vehicle. My invention contemplates the obviat-ion of the difficulties experienced in the above mentioned instances and as the side of the double-tree which receives the greater pull is advanced, the plate 11 will be simultaneously swung on its pivot, the same being drawn in the direction of the advancing side of the double-tree, which action will obviously cause said double-tree to be shifted somewhat to the opposite side of the tongue. This shifting of the double-tree, of course, is accomplished through the provisionof the slot 6 therein and the shifting of the double-tree toward the animal originally having the disadvantage, affords the latter animal the advantage of greater leverage, which action will obviously require less power on the part of the last. mentioned animal to equalize the power exerted by the other animal. The swinging of the plate 11 on its pivot point will, of course, necessitate a play of the pivot points of the arms 15 on the double-tree 2 which is compensated for by the oppositely inclined slots 13 in said double-tree. As said double-tree is shifted from one side to the other of the tongue, the same is aided in its movement by the anti friction roller 20 and the plate 9 on the forward edge of the double-tree with which said roller normally contacts, will prevent unnecessary wear on said double-tree, at the same time afiording a means by which the bolts 8 may be securely held to said doubletree.

From the foregoing it will be seen that. I have provided an improved equalizer which will be most efiicient in equalizing draft in connection with the double-tree. It will still further be seen that the device is one which is simple and durable in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and one which will be very efficient. and useful in operation.

I/Vhil'e I have particularly described the elements most well adapted to perform the functions set forth, changes in form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to ithout departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

it is obvious that various Having thus described this invention, what I claim is z- 1. In a draft equalizer of the class described, the combination with a tongue and double-tree pivotally connected thereto, said double-tree being capable of a'lateral movement. with respect to the tongue; of a straight rack secured to the rear edge of said double-tree about centrally thereof, a segmental rack pivoted on said tongue in the rear of said double-tree and meshing with said straight rack, draft engaging arms pivotally and slidably mounted on the outer ends of said double-tree, and connecting rods between said arms and said segmental rack.

2. In a draft equalizer, of the class described, the combination with a tongue and a double-tree pivoted thereto, said double-tree being-provided with a slot at its pivot point to permit a lateral movement thereof, with respect to the tongue; of a straight rack secured to the rear edge of said double-tree, a segmental rack pivoted on said tongue immediately in the rear of said double-tree and meshing with said straight rack, draft engaging arms pivotally and slidably mounted adjacent the ends of said double-tree, said arms extending forwardly and rearwardly of said double-tree, connecting rods between the rear ends of said arms and said segmental rack, and a roller bearing carried on said tongue and normally engaging the forward edge of said double-tree.

3. In a draft equalizer of the class described, the combination with a tongue, a double-tree having a central transverse slot therein, inclined slots adjacent the ends thereof, and means extending through the central slot of said double-tree to pivotally mount the same on said tongue; of a straight rack secured to the rear edge of said double-tree about centrally thereof, a segmental rack pivoted to said tongue immediately in the rear of said double-tree and meshing with the straight rack thereon, draft engaging arms, means extending through the oppositely inclined slots of said double-tree to. pivotallyand slid'ably connect said draft arms thereto, said arms extending forwardly and rearwardly of said double-tree, and connecting rods between the rear ends of said arms and said segmental rack.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN L. BEENE.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR K. PAYTE, ANDREW M. BowLEs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Washington, D. C.

Commissioner of Patents,

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